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Introduction
Bluetongue is a non-contagious arthropod-borne viral disease that affects ruminants. No investigations have yet been conducted to ascertain the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of bluetongue in Northwest Ethiopia. It is essential to determine the seroprevalence and correlated risk elements to formulate an effective strategy for preventing and surveillance of the disease.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was carried out between February 2023 and May 2023 to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Bluetongue virus (BTV) in sheep and goats in the selected districts of West Gondar zone. A multistage cluster sampling technique was employed, with zones and districts purposively selected, and kebeles within these districts chosen through simple random sampling. Villages were treated as clusters. A total of 444 blood specimens were collected from the sheep and goats and subsequently tested for BTV antibodies using a commercially available competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. A mixed-effects logistic regression was employed to evaluate the relationship between Bluetongue virus seropositivity and potential risk factors.
Results
The overall seroprevalence rate at the individual animal level was 84.5% (95% CI: 81.09–87.82). The seroprevalence in sheep and goats was 83.8% (257/308) and 86.8% (118/136), respectively. Species and age were significant risk factors for BTV seropositivity in the study area ( p < 0.05). Adult and older sheep and goats exhibited 3.49 (95% CI: 1.90–6.41) and 25.95 (95% CI: 9.45–71.28) times higher seroprevalence with the bluetongue virus in comparison to their younger counterparts, respectively.
Discussion
In conclusion, the current findings showed that BTV is highly prevalent. The specific circulating BTV serotypes and the temporal pattern of Bluetongue in the study area remain unknown, necessitating further investigation.
Details
Sampling techniques;
Mortality;
Goats;
Sea level;
Risk factors;
Sheep;
Viruses;
Viral diseases;
Serology;
Disease prevention;
Random sampling;
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;
Trade restrictions;
Cattle;
Animal populations;
Sample size;
Bluetongue;
Sampling methods;
Statistical sampling;
Epidemics;
Regions;
Veterinary medicine;
Data collection;
Serotypes;
Viral infections;
Towns
1 Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
2 Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
3 Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
4 Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
5 Department of Veterinary Pharmacy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
6 Department of Animal Health and Quality Control Team, National Veterinary Institute, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
7 Metekel Zone Agriculture and Rural Development Office, Metekel, Ethiopia
8 Health Biotechnology Directorate, Bio and Emerging Technology Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia